Joining the 'Phil'

The Phil is always happy to receive applications for membership in all voice ranges (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). If you have a good (but not necessarily trained) voice, with reasonable sight-reading ability, why not come along and sit in on a rehearsal evening?

Rehearsals are held weekly at 6.45 pm on Mondays during the season with additional rehearsals with visiting conductors and orchestras taking place on the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon before the final performance.

After a few rehearsals, if you decide to join us, we ask you to take a short voice test to confirm that you can sing in tune and work from a vocal score. It also helps us place you in the appropriate voice section.

Subject to a satisfactory test result you can then become a full member of the Phil. Full choir members are re-auditioned every 3 years.

Recent members have commented:

  • ‘It wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be!’

  • ‘I didn’t think my sight-reading was very good but I found the test quite easy’

  • ‘I’m no good singing on my own but am ok with plenty of others. The chorus master said this was quite common’

  • ‘I felt a bit nervous but it was a really friendly atmosphere – and over very quickly!’

Members share a love of choral music and have highlighted a number of reasons for their commitment to the choir:

  • Working with professional orchestras, conductors and soloists.

‘It’s a great thrill to be conducted by people like Sir Andrew Davis‘

‘Singing Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man in a packed hall with the composer conducting was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life‘

‘Performing with the Philharmonia Orchestra is a great vocal ego booster!‘

  • Participation in large scale orchestral performances

‘Singing Carmina Burana with other choirs at the Proms was fantastic!’

’The Verdi Requiem in the Royal Albert Hall with a huge orchestra and massed choirs had me shaking with excitement’

  • Developing a varied repertoire

‘Learning modern works as well as the classic choral pieces keeps me interested’

‘It’s fun to try new things and do concerts such as Porgy & Bess and the Opera Gala’ 

  • Singing is a great work out

Above all the Phil is a group of singers who are supportive of each other in order to maintain a professional choral standard and provide a worthwhile community experience for all its members. To help new members settle in we may introduce them to a mentor within the choir and also provide guidance on individual external vocal tuition for applicants where this is desirable.

Annual membership costs £85 for the 2008/2009 season, payable at the start of the season in September. Students and concessions pay a reduced rate.

If you enjoy singing why not come and meet us on Monday evenings at 6.45 pm.

To make application or find out more details about the Phil, please contact the Membership Secretary Jane Haddock on 0116-286-7754 (memsec@thephil.org.uk)